As the capital of Japan, Tokyo has become a famous destination that blends historical and cultural attractions with one of the most modern destinations in the world.
Attracting millions of visitors every year, the city has no shortage of accommodation options to meet every budget. However, no stay fully encapsulated the city’s blend of old and new quite like a carefully designed boutique hotel.
Unlike recognized international chains that feature the same cookie-cutter designs at all of their international locations, Tokyo’s boutique hotels are able to embody their setting with uniquely curated rooms that range from the elegantly modern to the culturally inviting.
These are the 13 best boutique hotels in Tokyo for experiencing the full spectrum of the destination’s historical and modern charms.
The 13 Best Boutique Hotels in Tokyo
1. Cyashitsu Ryokan Asakusa
Traditional Ryokan Inn with Modern Luxuries.
Blending the traditional Japanese hospitality of an authentic Ryokan-style inn with the modern comforts of a luxury hotel, the Cyashitsu Ryokan Asakusa is one of the best boutique hotels in Tokyo for exploring the two sides of Japanese culture.
Inspired by traditional tea houses, the Cyashitsu Ryokan Asakusa is entered through a beautiful garden known as the ‘dewy path,’ which leads to a charming lounge area where you are greeted by a traditional foot bath and a Japanese tea ceremony.
From there, you are led to one of the hotel’s ten guest rooms. All rooms continue the complex’s overall theme of an authentic tea house with sliding screens, fold-away futons, and tatami floors.
Of course, each room is equipped with plenty of modern additions, including soundproof walls, air conditioning, and an open air bath.
Additional modern touches found throughout the property include a beautiful hot tub, an onsite restaurant specializing in Japanese cuisine, and an outdoor terrace with sweeping city views.
2. Kaminarimon Ryokan
Ryokan Inn with Japanese and Western-Style Rooms
The Kaminariumon Ryokan is another charming boutique hotel offering traditional Ryokan-style lodging from within Tokyo’s Taito City district. Boasting plenty of authentic Japanese charms, the hotel offers both Japanese and Western-style rooms, making it a favorite amongst visitors looking for a cultural stay while enjoying familiar comforts.
Each of the hotel’s eight guest rooms feature traditional designs that include clay walls, ‘washi’ Japanese paper, and a tea set, along with the modern additions of a flatscreen tv, fridge, and air conditioning.
However, while the Japanese-style rooms feature comfortable futons, low tables, and floor seating, the Western rooms offer more familiar furniture, such as Queen-sized beds, a coffee table, and armchairs.
Regardless of your room choice, each of the Kaminarimon Ryokan’s breathtaking units provides an atmospheric base for immersing in the local culture and setting the mood to explore the nearby neighborhood.
And while there are several restaurants, temples, and attractions within the surrounding area, the hotel is only a two minute walk from the Asakusa Metro Station, providing convenient access to the rest of the city.
3. Hotel Gajoen Tokyo
Extensive Luxury Hotel with Historical & Artistic Facilities
A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Hotel Gajoen Tokyo is a unique museum hotel and is easily one of the most lavish boutique stays in the city.
Built in 1928, the extensive 4-star property boasts plenty of extravagant facilities, starting with its tranquil Gardens and the art galleries of its very own onsite museum, filled with various Japanese pre-war masterpieces.
The hotel also offers a diverse culinary adventure within seven onsite dining options, including a traditional Japanese restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, an Italian eatery, an American grill, and a steakhouse.
The Hotel Gajoen Tokyo’s grandiose extravagance continues within its selection of 60 all-suite rooms, each designed using traditional Japanese aesthetics but boasting all-modern luxury amenities.
Each unit is equipped with its own smartphone, a flatscreen tv, and an ensuite bathroom with a spa bath and free toiletries. Select rooms even come with their own sauna.
4. The Barn Tokyo
All New Affordable Hotel Near the City Centre
Established in October 2020, The Barn is one of the newest boutique hotels to open its doors to visitors in central Tokyo and has quickly become a fan favorite. Boasting affordable nightly rates and a fantastic location, The Barn serves as a cozy base for exploring the city.
Each of the property’s 16 designer rooms is equipped with a full, double, or queen-size bed and features a great selection of modern in-room amenities, including flatscreen TVs with complimentary streaming services and ensuite bathrooms with a free-standing shower and high-tech Japanese washlet technology.
Meanwhile, the hotel’s convenient location in the heart of downtown Tokyo puts it within walking distance of many of the city’s top attractions and restaurants, including the Tokyo National Museum, Ueno Park, and the National Museum of Nature and Science.
5. Trunk Hotel Yoyogi Park
Beautiful Luxury Escape with a Rooftop Pool
Set in the very center of Tokyo’s Shibuya City and overlooking the beautiful green spaces of Yoyogi Park, the Trunk Hotel is a lavish 5-star retreat offering unparalleled relaxation and luxury within the heart of the city.
This high-end hotel features 25 private rooms and suites, each packed with top of the line premium amenities that include elegant Japanese and Scandinavian designs and floor to ceiling windows that provide breathtaking views of the nearby park.
To further facilitate the lavishness of your stay, the Trunk Hotel offers plenty of additional facilities on site, including the Pizzeria e Trattoria L’Ombelico, where you will find delicious mouthwatering Italian fare served throughout the day.
Still, the most alluring gem of this exclusive inner-city hideaway has to be its extravagant rooftop pool club found atop the hotel’s 6th floor. From here, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Yoyogi Park, sip a delicious cocktail while soaking in the heated pool or jacuzzi, or lounging on a sun chair.
6. Hotel K5
Charming Hotel Offering a Cultural Atmosphere within a Historical Complex
Operating out of an old 1920s bank building, Hotel K5 is a small, intimate boutique hotel in Tokyo’s Chuo City district and promises a beautifully modern stay while maintaining many of the authentic cultural charms of its historical complex.
Hotel K5 features just 20 guest rooms, each designed to accentuate its vintage atmosphere with contemporary stylings. All units feature high ceilings and free-standing beds and are decorated with live plants.
While there are no televisions within the guest rooms, visitors can instead listen to a record taken from the onsite vinyl collection or soak in the stand-alone tub of the ensuite bathrooms.
All guests staying at the hotel also receive access to the property’s public facilities, which include a bar, beer hall, coffee stand, and the Caveman Restaurant, which serves a delicious international menu and hosts high tea and a happy hour.
7. Asakusa Kokono Club Hotel
Boutique Hotel Found in Tokyo’s Shopping District
Set just a 3-minute walk from Sensoji Temple and found along downtown Tokyo’s Asakusa Hisago-dori Shopping Street, the Asakusa Kokono Club Hotel features one of the best locations for staying within the heart of the action and is the only hotel in Japan with an onsite theater.
The hotel features 27 Western-style rooms, each boasting traditional Japanese decor that fits in with the overall atmosphere of the Asakusa neighborhood. All rooms feature modern amenities, such as flatscreen TVs and ensuite bathrooms, along with a private balcony provided in the property’s Terrace Suites.
The hotel also features an onsite restaurant where you can sample a great selection of Japanese cuisine, or you can even swing by the onsite theater to enjoy frequent live performances.
8. Nohga Hotel Akihabara
Artistic Boutique Hotel Set within the City Centre
The Nohga Hotel Akihabara is a charming hotel set between Tokyo’s Chiyoda and Taito City districts and promises a warm and welcoming atmosphere of music and art, with high-quality audio and contemporary art pieces featured throughout the property.
Just as the Nohga Hotel Akihabara produces an adventure of sight and sound, so does it for taste at the onsite Pizzeria & Bar Nohga, where you can enjoy full-day dining exploring a delicious Spanish Italian food and cocktail menu.
The hotel’s upscale comforts continues within its room selection, with each unit being equipped with elevated in-room amenities that include high-quality speaker systems, flatscreen TVs with original music and film content, and ensuite bathrooms with a shower and bathtub.
While the property is within walking distance of many of the city’s popular attractions, the Nohga Hotel Akihabara does offer bicycle rental services for a more convenient way to get around the city, while the Suehirocho Metro Station is about a three-minute walk away.
9. The Tokyo Station Hotel
Historical Luxury Hotel First Opened in 1915
It doesn’t get much better than The Tokyo Station Hotel when it comes to historical boutique hotels in Tokyo. Built in 1915, the hotel has served as a staple of the city’s tourism scene for over a century and was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan in 2003.
After extensive renovations and restorations saw the hotel close for more than half a decade, The Tokyo Station Hotel officially reopened its doors in 2012, bigger and grander than ever.
While the complex maintains many of its historical charms, the renovations have completely modernized the property to include all the contemporary comforts you would expect from a 5-star hotel.
All rooms feature beautiful plush decor and are equipped with LCD TVs, a minibar, and an ensuite bathroom with a shower and free toiletries. Also featured on the property is an extensive spa facility, a fitness center, and nine onsite restaurants and bars serving various mouthwatering menus from around the world.
10. Shangri-La Tokyo
Elegant 5-Star Getaway Near the Imperial Palace
Set in the heart of Tokyo’s Chiyoda City district, Shangri-La Tokyo brings unmatched 5-star elegance to one of the city’s most beautiful regions.
Located next to Tokyo Station, the luxury hotel features 200 elegantly designed guest rooms and suites, each equipped with premium comfort amenities that include marble bathrooms with a walk-in wet room and rainforest shower, a spacious seating area, and floor to ceiling windows with sweeping city views.
Meanwhile, the hotel also features two onsite restaurants serving Japanese and International dishes, a spacious lounge area, a heated indoor pool, and an onsite spa with an extensive catalog of treatment packages and massages.
11. The Tokyo Edition Toranomon
Elegant Luxury Stay Located Atop a Downtown Skyscraper
Housed within the top six floors of a 36 floor skyscraper, The Tokyo Edition Toranomon is a premier luxury boutique hotel in Tokyo promising unparalleled services and some of the best views of the city.
Despite its urban setting, The Tokyo Edition Toranomon provides an elegant green escape, with over 500 trees and plants thoughtfully placed throughout the complex. The hotel features 206 private guest rooms and suites, each equipped with top-of-the-line in-room amenities and surreal views of the surrounding city.
Meanwhile, the hotel’s culinary offerings include The Blue Room, where you can enjoy a delicious menu of international classics, and The Jade Room + Garden Terrace, the hotel’s signature restaurant headed by Michelin-starred chef Tom Aikens.
Further facilities offered within the hotel include a spa and wellness center, two lavish bars, an onsite hot tub, and free bicycle rentals for exploring the city.
12. DDD Hotel
Budget-Friendly Boutique Hotel with Premium Stay Comforts
Standing for Design, Development, Destination, the DDD Hotel is an innovative chic hotel near the city center that provides elegant modern accommodation for some of the best valued nightly rates in Tokyo.
Boasting minimalist designs that lack in-room TVs and work desks, the DDD Hotel provides private rooms free of clutter to better facilitate a sense of zen relaxation. Instead, DDD Hotel focuses on providing the highest quality necessities, with in-room amenities that include premium bed linen and shower products.
While the hotel boasts a simpler complex than some of the more extensive properties featured on this list, it does include an onsite bar and a cafe where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or specialty cocktail.
13. Shibuya Granbell Hotel
Quiet Artsy Hotel with 2 Onsite Restaurants
Located in the Shibuya City district on the western outskirts of the Tokyo city center, the Shibuya Granbell Hotel is a sophisticated design accommodation that focuses on providing upscale stays immersed in contemporary art.
The hotel features an extensive variety of rooms, each carefully designed to provide a traditional yet modern feel. All units feature common in-room amenities, including a rainfall shower, a refrigerator, and free toiletries.
The hotel also features two onsite restaurants, including a pizzeria and the Ginza Steak Shibuya that features an all-you-can-eat menu that includes the highest grade A5 Kuroge Wagyu beef.
Despite being slightly further from the city center, the Shibuya Granbell Hotel is only a 20-minute walk from Yoyogi Park and less than a five-minute walk from the Shibuya Metro Station.
FAQs About Boutique Hotels in Tokyo
